1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus?
Hippolyta's reasoning differs from Theseus in that she believes that the time will pass quickly enough, while Theseus laments that the time passes much too slow.
2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do?
Egeus has brought his daughter and two suitors to Theseus because of a dispute. His daughter does not want to marry the suitor he has chose for her, but would like to marry some other courter. Egeus expects him to uphold the ancient law of Athens and give him the right to take the life of his daughter if she does not comply.
3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia?
The proper role for women in Athenian society is to submit to the will of men, according to Egeus and Theseus. Theseus's ruling concerning Hermia is to give her three options; submit to her father's will, lose her life, or become a nun.
4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?
Lysander's comment about Demetrius complicates things because it brings doubt about Demetrius's character in the people present.
5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena?
Lysander and Hermia decide to run away to go see Lysander's Aunt. They tell Helena to boost her morale.
6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans?
She tells Demetrius so that he will, theoretically, like her more.
7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest?
Hermia has three choices given to her; she can submit to her father's will, lose her life, or become a nun. Lysander suggests she runs away with him.
Act I, Scene 2
8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?
Nick Bottom wants to play all the parts because he believes he is the best, and will be the perfect fit for each role.
9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?
In my opinion, this scene is funny because Bottom believes he can play every single role. I suppose Shakespeare included this scene to introduce Bottom and provide some comedic entertainment.
10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?
The actors are to meet in the forest the following night. Lysander and Hermia are also meeting there.
11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability?
I would say that Bottom's acting ability is exquisite, but not as good as he believes he is.
Act II, Scene 1
10. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy?
The reader finds out that oberon and Titania have a very tense relationship because of a changeling boy.
11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens?
In the past Oberon has been in a relationship with Hippolyta while Titania was in love with Theseus. They have come to Athens because Theseus and Hippolyta are getting married.
12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans?
Their quarrel brings natural disasters, such as fogs and floods, Here are some quotes: "Small streams have been flooded and over flown there banks.","Crows have gotten fat eating all the drowned sheep and diseased cattle.", "The fields have been ploughed and planted for no reason because of the rain.", the seasons are changed such that winter feels like summer, and Puck plays tricks on humans to make Oberon feel better.
13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon?
She won't give up the changeling because the changeling's mother was a part of her order and a close friend and she died giving birth to the child; Titania feels obligated to care for it.
14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?
Oberon sends Puck to find a flower which has a special property which makes the victim fall in love with the first living creature it sees.
15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?
Oberon says he will drop the juice from the flower into Titania's eyes as she sleeps to teach her a lesson.
16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse?
She tells him that the more he rejects her, the more she will like him.
17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse?
She tells him that he would not be capable of such savagery and follows him, determined in her love.
18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women?
Her Beaverton is inappropriate because women were meant to woo, and not to woo, and are not allowed to talk back to men.
19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?
Oberon tells Puck to put the juice of the flower into Demetrius eyes so that he will fall in love with Helena.
Act II, Scene 2
20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?
Oberon wants revenge on Titania because he is jealous of the way she treats the Changeling and thinks he will be able to steal the page from her.
21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her?
Hermia insists Lysander sleeps away from her in order to preserve her modesty and virtue.
22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?
Oberon tells Puck to pour some of the juice on the eyes of a youth dressed in Athenian garb, so that he will love Helena. Puck puts it in the eyes of Lysander by mistake; Oberon was talking about Demetrius.
23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens?
Helena thinks he is making fun of her so she runs away.
24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality?
In the dream Lysander is smiling at a snake which is eating Hermia's heart. It is a sad reflection of reality because Lysander has just fallen in love with Helena and now no longer loves Hermia. His love for her has, in effect, been eaten by a metaphorical snake.
Act III, Scene 1
25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars?
They will inform the ladies that Pyramus is not really Pyramus but Bottom the Weaver, and he does not really kill himself, while saying that the lion is but a man like other men, while showing half his face through the costume.
26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall?
They will present the play during a full moon and open the windows to obtain moonlight, they will use a person as a wall, and he will open his fingers such that it forms a crack through which the lovers will speak.
27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears?
They run off because Bottom has obtained an asses head in place of his own.
28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors?
Puck plans to be an auditor and an actor when he follows them.
29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies?
Bottom reacts to Titania and the other fairies by first being bewildered, then trying to suppress his surprise by using humour.
30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play?
It is such a apt statement at this point in the play because all the lovers in the play have proven to have little reason and gone into the forest in pursuit of their love.
Act III, Scene 2
31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?
Hermia accuses Demetrius of mocking her.
32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake?
Puck and Oberon are going to correct Puck's earlier mistake by anointing Lysander's eyes with the flower juice so that he will love Hermia once more.
33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along?
Helena is upset when Demetrius says he loves her because she believes he is mocking her.
34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?
Helena accuses Hermia of conspiring with the two men in mocking her.
35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past?
Hermia and Helena have been very close in the past; they were the best of friends. "Is all the counsel that we two have shared,
The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent,"
36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says?
Lysander treats Hermia like trash; he says he does not love her anymore; she can't believe what he says because, as she says, only "Since night you loved me; yet since night you left me." She does not understand the sudden transition for love to hate.
37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?
She accuses Helena or stealing her lover and bewitching his bosom.
38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?
Helena is afraid of Hermia because Hermia threatens to dig her nails into Helena's eyes."[...]that my nails can reach unto thine eyes."
39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do?
They are going off to fight for Helena's love.
40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men?
Oberon instructs Puck to impersonate the two young men and lead them astray of one another until they get tired and fall asleep.
41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?
Oberon is going to undo the effect of the flowerjuice so that TItania will no longer love Bottom.
42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day?
He does not fear the coming of day because he is unlike other spirits in that he can endure the day.
43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?
Puck's trickery works extremely well; he manages to lead the two men astray until they fall asleep.
Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.
Titania falls in love with Bottom
Puck tells Oberon about the predicament involving Titania and Bottom.
Oberon realizes that a mistake has been made and says that he and Puck will have to remedy it
Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander
Puck anoints Demetrius's eye's with the flowerjuice while the latter is asleep
Demetrius wakes up and falls in love with Helena
Lysander arrives and he and Demetrius fight over Helena
Hermia arrives and fights with Helena because she believes Helena has stolen her lover
Puck is sent to prevent Lysander and Demetrius from fighting by making them hopelessly lost
The four lovers all end up falling asleep
Puck anoints Lysander's eyes with the love potion so that he will love Hermia again
Act IV, Scene 1
44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?
Bottom grows used to the attention and orders Peaseblossom to scratch his head and sends Cobweb to find him some honey
45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom?
He feels pity for her, and a bit of jealousy. He is also feeling guilty. He decides to cancel the charm he cast on her.
46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her?
He will probably tell her it was all a dream.
47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning?
They are out in the woods so early because of a fox-hunt.
48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods?
He believes they rose up early to observe the rite of May.
49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness?
He says that he heard about their stealth from Helena, who followed him while he was tracking them down. He says however, he once again loves Helena, and no longer loves Hermia; he compares his brief time loving Hermia as a sickness that he is now cured from.
50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people?
Theseus decides to let Demtrius and Helena, and Lysander and Hermia get married to eachother at his wedding.
51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming?
They can't be sure because the past events make no sense, but since they all had the same recollection of events, they know they are awake.
52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke?
He will use his dream to create a ballad called "Bottom's Dream" which he will perform before the Duke.
Act IV, Scene 2
53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?
The other artisans now believe that Bottom is the greatest. Here are some quotes: " It is not possible: you have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he", "No, he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in Athens" and " The best person too; and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice"
54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play?
They most regret losing the life of made men, by having such a big fortune that they would never have to work again.
55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace?
The artisans must hurry to the palace because they need to present their play at once, without a rehearsal.
Extending the thought process.
a) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character?
In my opinion, Bottom is a arrogant fool who believes who knows everything, though he knows but little. He demands much of his servants, while Theseus is more reserved and fair, and helps his servants solve their problems.====b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?====
Upon waking, most of the dreamers are confused and whether what just happened was but a dream. Demetrius is permanently changed by the dream experience as he now loves Helena, as opposed to Hermia.
c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?
According to Shakespeare, love and infatuations are like a dream; they are vivid and scary while they last, but then are gone. And when it has gone, you can't believe how you used to feel - you look back in absolute disbelief and wonder how you could have possibly come about to have this infatuation.
Act 4 Podcast: Bottom decides to commission Peter Quince to write a ballad called “Bottom’s Dream.” On your own or with a partner, imagine that you have been asked to write the lyrics and compose the musical accompaniment. Remember that at the beginning of act 4, Bottom told the fairies that he likes to listen to the “tongs and bones” (act 4, scene 1, line 30). Tongs were pieces of metal struck against each other and bones were actual bones. These instruments were used in comical or in less sophisticated musical performances. Write the poetry for the ballad ( a minimum of 2 stanzas, 4 lines each), then put it to music!
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Act V
56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?
Theseus dismisses the stories as a fantasy, he believes it is no more true than something a madman or poet might conjure up.
57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments?
Theseus chooses this play, which is supposed to be both tragic and funny and brief but tedious, because he believes that this is something which would be difficult to accomplish and wishes to see how it is done.
58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?
Philostrate tries to keep Theseus from seeing the play because he believes it is terrible. He has already seen it, and he said that though it is short, it is so terrible that it is tedious.
59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?
Theseus means that the play can still be good ig the actors have performed their roles to perfection and without distractions, while working hard.
60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?
The prologue explains that the actors will not actually be killed and that there is no real lion; they do this so that the women will not be afraid of them and hang them.
61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?
Shakespeare uses the comments from the audience to add another depth to the play, in which the audience mocks the performers. This helps enhance the quality of the play and its humour.
62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?
Hippolyta believes it is feeble and weak, with no consistency.
63. In what way is Thisbe’s final speech humorous?
Thisbe's final speech is quite humorous as her train of thought does not make sense, and her choice of words is not well planned-out, at best.
64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?
Oberon tells the fairies to bless the bride-beds.
65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?
Puck's final speech serves as an attempt to make amends with the audience and apologize for the fairies' behaviour during the performance.
Extending the thought process:
FInd at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example.
excessive alliteration: "Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade,
He bravely broach'd is boiling bloody breast" The letter b is repeated quite often, and excessively.
breaking the play’s illusion of reality: Pyramus: Cursed be thy stones for thus deceiving me! Theseus: The wall, methinks, being sensible, should curse again. Pyramus: No, in truth sir, he should not. "Decieving me" is Thisby's cue:she is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall." Pyramus breaks the illusion of reality and tells the audience what will happen next.
using the wrong word or name: "Not Shafalus to Procrus was so true." Shafulus should be Cephalus, and Procrus should be Procris
repeating a word excessively: "Now die, die, die, die, die."
ridiculous metaphor: "To spy an I can hear my Thisby's face." He says he can hear a face.
a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?
Observing another audience permits us to see the mechanics between the audience and performers, and see what the audience truly thinks of the performers. We can learn a great deal by knowing what they say and their facial expressions, and body language. This seems to suggest that Shakespeare's plays were meant to directly connect with the audience. By observing another audience, we can better understand the message Shakespeare was trying to convey.
b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?
A good example would be Spongebob, who is silly, innocent, and clueless, and Squidward who is always sarcastic, is quite clever, and knows a great deal. Other examples include Michael (innocent, silly and clueless) who plays off of Jim (knowing, clever, often sarcastic) in The Office, the Roadrunner and the Coyote and Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny.
c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?
Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a happy event such as a wedding celebration as it is the tale of two lovers that die and is quite tragic. The play might be appropriate because it is the tale of two lovers who love each other very much, which goes with the theme of romance in a wedding. The play-within-a-play is ironic because Hermia and Lysander did very much the same thing Pyramus and Thisbe did by running away to be together, braving everything. Puck is the metaphorical lion, because he separated the lovers by putting the flower juice onto the lovers eyes so that they would like different people; he almost separated Hermia and Lysander.
Completion 25/25 Effort 23/25 Content 23/25 Total 71/75
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Act I, Scene 1
1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus?
Hippolyta's reasoning differs from Theseus in that she believes that the time will pass quickly enough, while Theseus laments that the time passes much too slow.
2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do?
Egeus has brought his daughter and two suitors to Theseus because of a dispute. His daughter does not want to marry the suitor he has chose for her, but would like to marry some other courter. Egeus expects him to uphold the ancient law of Athens and give him the right to take the life of his daughter if she does not comply.
3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia?
The proper role for women in Athenian society is to submit to the will of men, according to Egeus and Theseus. Theseus's ruling concerning Hermia is to give her three options; submit to her father's will, lose her life, or become a nun.
4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?
Lysander's comment about Demetrius complicates things because it brings doubt about Demetrius's character in the people present.
5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena?
Lysander and Hermia decide to run away to go see Lysander's Aunt. They tell Helena to boost her morale.
6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans?
She tells Demetrius so that he will, theoretically, like her more.
7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest?
Hermia has three choices given to her; she can submit to her father's will, lose her life, or become a nun. Lysander suggests she runs away with him.
Act I, Scene 2
8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?
Nick Bottom wants to play all the parts because he believes he is the best, and will be the perfect fit for each role.
9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?
In my opinion, this scene is funny because Bottom believes he can play every single role. I suppose Shakespeare included this scene to introduce Bottom and provide some comedic entertainment.
10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?
The actors are to meet in the forest the following night. Lysander and Hermia are also meeting there.
11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability?
I would say that Bottom's acting ability is exquisite, but not as good as he believes he is.
Act II, Scene 1
10. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy?
The reader finds out that oberon and Titania have a very tense relationship because of a changeling boy.
11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens?
In the past Oberon has been in a relationship with Hippolyta while Titania was in love with Theseus. They have come to Athens because Theseus and Hippolyta are getting married.
12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans?
Their quarrel brings natural disasters, such as fogs and floods, Here are some quotes: "Small streams have been flooded and over flown there banks.","Crows have gotten fat eating all the drowned sheep and diseased cattle.", "The fields have been ploughed and planted for no reason because of the rain.", the seasons are changed such that winter feels like summer, and Puck plays tricks on humans to make Oberon feel better.
13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon?
She won't give up the changeling because the changeling's mother was a part of her order and a close friend and she died giving birth to the child; Titania feels obligated to care for it.
14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?
Oberon sends Puck to find a flower which has a special property which makes the victim fall in love with the first living creature it sees.
15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?
Oberon says he will drop the juice from the flower into Titania's eyes as she sleeps to teach her a lesson.
16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse?
She tells him that the more he rejects her, the more she will like him.
17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse?
She tells him that he would not be capable of such savagery and follows him, determined in her love.
18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women?
Her Beaverton is inappropriate because women were meant to woo, and not to woo, and are not allowed to talk back to men.
19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?
Oberon tells Puck to put the juice of the flower into Demetrius eyes so that he will fall in love with Helena.
Act II, Scene 2
20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?
Oberon wants revenge on Titania because he is jealous of the way she treats the Changeling and thinks he will be able to steal the page from her.
21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her?
Hermia insists Lysander sleeps away from her in order to preserve her modesty and virtue.
22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?
Oberon tells Puck to pour some of the juice on the eyes of a youth dressed in Athenian garb, so that he will love Helena. Puck puts it in the eyes of Lysander by mistake; Oberon was talking about Demetrius.
23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens?
Helena thinks he is making fun of her so she runs away.
24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality?
In the dream Lysander is smiling at a snake which is eating Hermia's heart. It is a sad reflection of reality because Lysander has just fallen in love with Helena and now no longer loves Hermia. His love for her has, in effect, been eaten by a metaphorical snake.
Act III, Scene 1
25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars?
They will inform the ladies that Pyramus is not really Pyramus but Bottom the Weaver, and he does not really kill himself, while saying that the lion is but a man like other men, while showing half his face through the costume.
26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall?
They will present the play during a full moon and open the windows to obtain moonlight, they will use a person as a wall, and he will open his fingers such that it forms a crack through which the lovers will speak.
27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears?
They run off because Bottom has obtained an asses head in place of his own.
28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors?
Puck plans to be an auditor and an actor when he follows them.
29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies?
Bottom reacts to Titania and the other fairies by first being bewildered, then trying to suppress his surprise by using humour.
30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play?
It is such a apt statement at this point in the play because all the lovers in the play have proven to have little reason and gone into the forest in pursuit of their love.
Act III, Scene 2
31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?
Hermia accuses Demetrius of mocking her.
32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake?
Puck and Oberon are going to correct Puck's earlier mistake by anointing Lysander's eyes with the flower juice so that he will love Hermia once more.
33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along?
Helena is upset when Demetrius says he loves her because she believes he is mocking her.
34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?
Helena accuses Hermia of conspiring with the two men in mocking her.
35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past?
Hermia and Helena have been very close in the past; they were the best of friends. "Is all the counsel that we two have shared,
The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent,"
36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says?
Lysander treats Hermia like trash; he says he does not love her anymore; she can't believe what he says because, as she says, only "Since night you loved me; yet since night you left me." She does not understand the sudden transition for love to hate.
37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?
She accuses Helena or stealing her lover and bewitching his bosom.
38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?
Helena is afraid of Hermia because Hermia threatens to dig her nails into Helena's eyes."[...]that my nails can reach unto thine eyes."
39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do?
They are going off to fight for Helena's love.
40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men?
Oberon instructs Puck to impersonate the two young men and lead them astray of one another until they get tired and fall asleep.
41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?
Oberon is going to undo the effect of the flowerjuice so that TItania will no longer love Bottom.
42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day?
He does not fear the coming of day because he is unlike other spirits in that he can endure the day.
43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?
Puck's trickery works extremely well; he manages to lead the two men astray until they fall asleep.
Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.
Titania falls in love with Bottom
Puck tells Oberon about the predicament involving Titania and Bottom.
Oberon realizes that a mistake has been made and says that he and Puck will have to remedy it
Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander
Puck anoints Demetrius's eye's with the flowerjuice while the latter is asleep
Demetrius wakes up and falls in love with Helena
Lysander arrives and he and Demetrius fight over Helena
Hermia arrives and fights with Helena because she believes Helena has stolen her lover
Puck is sent to prevent Lysander and Demetrius from fighting by making them hopelessly lost
The four lovers all end up falling asleep
Puck anoints Lysander's eyes with the love potion so that he will love Hermia again
Act IV, Scene 1
44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?
Bottom grows used to the attention and orders Peaseblossom to scratch his head and sends Cobweb to find him some honey
45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom?
He feels pity for her, and a bit of jealousy. He is also feeling guilty. He decides to cancel the charm he cast on her.
46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her?
He will probably tell her it was all a dream.
47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning?
They are out in the woods so early because of a fox-hunt.
48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods?
He believes they rose up early to observe the rite of May.
49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness?
He says that he heard about their stealth from Helena, who followed him while he was tracking them down. He says however, he once again loves Helena, and no longer loves Hermia; he compares his brief time loving Hermia as a sickness that he is now cured from.
50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people?
Theseus decides to let Demtrius and Helena, and Lysander and Hermia get married to eachother at his wedding.
51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming?
They can't be sure because the past events make no sense, but since they all had the same recollection of events, they know they are awake.
52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke?
He will use his dream to create a ballad called "Bottom's Dream" which he will perform before the Duke.
Act IV, Scene 2
53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?
The other artisans now believe that Bottom is the greatest. Here are some quotes: " It is not possible: you have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he", "No, he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in Athens" and " The best person too; and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice"
54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play?
They most regret losing the life of made men, by having such a big fortune that they would never have to work again.
55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace?
The artisans must hurry to the palace because they need to present their play at once, without a rehearsal.
Extending the thought process.
a) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character?
In my opinion, Bottom is a arrogant fool who believes who knows everything, though he knows but little. He demands much of his servants, while Theseus is more reserved and fair, and helps his servants solve their problems.====b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?====Upon waking, most of the dreamers are confused and whether what just happened was but a dream. Demetrius is permanently changed by the dream experience as he now loves Helena, as opposed to Hermia.
c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?
According to Shakespeare, love and infatuations are like a dream; they are vivid and scary while they last, but then are gone. And when it has gone, you can't believe how you used to feel - you look back in absolute disbelief and wonder how you could have possibly come about to have this infatuation.
Act 4 Podcast: Bottom decides to commission Peter Quince to write a ballad called “Bottom’s Dream.” On your own or with a partner, imagine that you have been asked to write the lyrics and compose the musical accompaniment. Remember that at the beginning of act 4, Bottom told the fairies that he likes to listen to the “tongs and bones” (act 4, scene 1, line 30). Tongs were pieces of metal struck against each other and bones were actual bones. These instruments were used in comical or in less sophisticated musical performances. Write the poetry for the ballad ( a minimum of 2 stanzas, 4 lines each), then put it to music!
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Act V
56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?
Theseus dismisses the stories as a fantasy, he believes it is no more true than something a madman or poet might conjure up.
57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments?
Theseus chooses this play, which is supposed to be both tragic and funny and brief but tedious, because he believes that this is something which would be difficult to accomplish and wishes to see how it is done.
58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?
Philostrate tries to keep Theseus from seeing the play because he believes it is terrible. He has already seen it, and he said that though it is short, it is so terrible that it is tedious.
59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?
Theseus means that the play can still be good ig the actors have performed their roles to perfection and without distractions, while working hard.
60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?
The prologue explains that the actors will not actually be killed and that there is no real lion; they do this so that the women will not be afraid of them and hang them.
61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?
Shakespeare uses the comments from the audience to add another depth to the play, in which the audience mocks the performers. This helps enhance the quality of the play and its humour.
62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?
Hippolyta believes it is feeble and weak, with no consistency.
63. In what way is Thisbe’s final speech humorous?
Thisbe's final speech is quite humorous as her train of thought does not make sense, and her choice of words is not well planned-out, at best.
64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?
Oberon tells the fairies to bless the bride-beds.
65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?
Puck's final speech serves as an attempt to make amends with the audience and apologize for the fairies' behaviour during the performance.
Extending the thought process:
FInd at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example.
excessive alliteration: "Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade,
He bravely broach'd is boiling bloody breast" The letter b is repeated quite often, and excessively.
breaking the play’s illusion of reality: Pyramus: Cursed be thy stones for thus deceiving me! Theseus: The wall, methinks, being sensible, should curse again. Pyramus: No, in truth sir, he should not. "Decieving me" is Thisby's cue:she is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall." Pyramus breaks the illusion of reality and tells the audience what will happen next.
using the wrong word or name: "Not Shafalus to Procrus was so true." Shafulus should be Cephalus, and Procrus should be Procris
repeating a word excessively: "Now die, die, die, die, die."
ridiculous metaphor: "To spy an I can hear my Thisby's face." He says he can hear a face.
a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?
Observing another audience permits us to see the mechanics between the audience and performers, and see what the audience truly thinks of the performers. We can learn a great deal by knowing what they say and their facial expressions, and body language. This seems to suggest that Shakespeare's plays were meant to directly connect with the audience. By observing another audience, we can better understand the message Shakespeare was trying to convey.
b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?
A good example would be Spongebob, who is silly, innocent, and clueless, and Squidward who is always sarcastic, is quite clever, and knows a great deal. Other examples include Michael (innocent, silly and clueless) who plays off of Jim (knowing, clever, often sarcastic) in The Office, the Roadrunner and the Coyote and Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny.
c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?
Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a happy event such as a wedding celebration as it is the tale of two lovers that die and is quite tragic. The play might be appropriate because it is the tale of two lovers who love each other very much, which goes with the theme of romance in a wedding. The play-within-a-play is ironic because Hermia and Lysander did very much the same thing Pyramus and Thisbe did by running away to be together, braving everything. Puck is the metaphorical lion, because he separated the lovers by putting the flower juice onto the lovers eyes so that they would like different people; he almost separated Hermia and Lysander.
Completion 25/25
Effort 23/25
Content 23/25
Total 71/75
Podcast 1 - 20/20
Podcast 2 - 19/20